Political Science
Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and the Racialization of Attitudes Toward Descriptive Representation
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Who is most likely to consider diverse representation desirable? Previous literature typically emphasizes the importance of partisanship and group identity congruence (i.e., women representing women) in influencing attitudes about descriptive representation. Alternatively, we test whether the racialized politics that emerged in 2016 might now shape views about representation by members of underrepresented groups. Using data from the 2016 ANES, we examine attitudes toward increasing the number of women and Hispanic representatives. Rather than partisanship or identity congruence, our results point to the primacy of racial attitudes, linked fate, and feminism in shaping views about diverse representation. Indeed, even when examining attitudes about increased representation by women, we find strong evidence that opinions are now racialized. We argue for a more expansive understanding of support for descriptive representation, which may reflect an individual’s opinions of marginalized groups and structural inequities more broadly.
Publication Title
American Politics Research
Publication Date
9-2021
Volume
49
Issue
5
First Page
517
Last Page
533
ISSN
1532-673X
DOI
10.1177/1532673X211022620
Keywords
descriptive representation, Latino elected officials, racial resentment, women elected officials
Repository Citation
Lucas, Jennifer C. and Silber Mohamed, Heather, "Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and the Racialization of Attitudes Toward Descriptive Representation" (2021). Political Science. 81.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_political_science/81
